How About That? (Completed)

Best Friends and Baca-baca's

The halls were still empty as I made my way back to my room. Not a soul in sight. I still found that very odd, but chose to ignore it, my mind being otherwise occupied now. I shed the dress as soon as I had closed my bedroom door. Checking for any bumps, bruises or scratches before I chose another one. Yes, I bruise easily! The second dress I chose was one of the most flattering and elegant dresses I owned. It was a beautiful green colour, dark and striking, with silver rhinestones on the bodice and embroidery along the edge of the skirt. It had a sweetheart neckline and it hung all the way to the ground and covered my feet. I was all too grateful.... they would never approve of my boots. I gave one last check to make sure my appearance was acceptable. A few stands of hair had fallen loose and now formed ringlets on my shoulders and face... it worked. I turned to go, locking my door behind me yet again.

I decided to take the shorter route this time, in order to avoid any uncomfortable encounters. I heard music playing as I got closer and to my relief, a babble of voices. How had I missed them earlier? This was weird! I entered the grand ballroom and noticed that it was decorated perfectly. Obviously. His personality was reflected in everything. There was a huge portrait of him hanging directly across from the door, grand and attention grabbing, just like him, I felt sorry for whoever had to paint that... it must have taken ages. There were fae everywhere, but very few faces that I recognized. While I was looking for somebody I knew I spotted my best friend Abby. She caught my eye at the exact same moment and waved excitedly. She looked beautiful with her golden hair pinned up in a French roll. Her purple dress was so perfectly suited to her, simple and elegant, yet striking and bold.

"Hey-." She said as she got closer.

"Hey." I said and smiled.

She threw her arms around me and gave me a tight squeeze.

"Been a while, ey?" She asked, not bothering to try speak 'properly'.

"Just a little." I replied, blushing a bit.

"Well," She said firmly. "Now that you're out and about, we have some catching up to do. We need to have a sleepover."

"Well, I'm not busy tonight after the ball?" I hinted.

Abby's eyes lit up. "Wonderful. As long as I can borrow clothes."

I giggled. Now that sounded like fun. We spent the rest of the night chatting and dancing together - not with any of the snotty guys there. I barely even noticed Alex, not even his arrival; which would have been grand. It felt good to just let go and forget for a while. With Abby I could do that, or vent if I needed to, that's why we were best friends. We were to each other whatever the other one needed us to be and we were always honest with each other. I reached out and gave her hand a squeeze to show that I loved her. She squeezed back, telling me she loved me too.

The food that was served was mouth watering, as usual. We had Baca-baca's cooking for us and that was why. Baca-baca's were funny looking, little round creatures that were bright green in colour. They had blades on each finger of one hand and long fingers on the other. They could work very quickly and carefully with their hands, which was what made them the best cooks and also the best crooks. They didn't have a large population like some other species may have and Oberon housed 30% of that population in his court. He fed and housed them in return for their service.

I watched two of them passing by as they giggled at something private and then one proceeded bounce the other. This sent it rolling on the ground in a little green ball, giggling even more. They must have been children, they were even tinier than the usual tiny ones. They only came up to about mid-calf, where usually they would come up to my knee. They were so cute!